For the longest time, I’ve wanted a book corner in my home.

Those who know me, know how torn I was about storing the books after impulsive book hauls. 

The Temptation

For almost a year, I contemplated wooden vs metal, wall-mount vs floot-mount, open-vs-closed, branded vs custom-made local version… I discussed with my mum, argued with ChatGPT, looked around for options, envied shelfies on reddit… But fought the temptation in general. I wanted it to be an informted decision.

The Inspiration

I have twin wooden bookshelves and I wanted the wall-mount shelf and these twins to look like a family. So, I asked for some inspirations, giving the room’s dimensions, my specifications etc. What did it suggestion? This. 

Ignore the dimensions and numbers. You get the drift, right? Look how pretty, right? Of course, it added more stuff than I have, like a pant, and a reading couch, and a painting on the pillar. And the lighting… Oh, loved the lighting.

The Decision

8-June-2025: I ordered a custom-made wall-mount bookshelf. FINALLY!!!

The Selection

There was some back and forth about colour, for four days, which inevitably meant a delay in getting the final product.

The raw material he couldn’t get in the colour I wanted, so we had to settle on very light grey for body. I wasn’t happy about this. Problems of living in a small town, I guess?

The Installation

18-June-2026: The wall-mount shelf was fitted.

Does it look like what I wanted? NOOOO. The colour, the finess, the gaps in the corner, the door-handles, nothing was how I imagined it. I guess my brother was right: expecting finess in a town like us was a mistake.

When I showed how many problems were there, the maker just shrugged. Literally just shrugged. What was I supposed to say after that?

To make things worse, I was told that I can’t start putting stuff in because he has forgotten silicon sealant.

The Silicon

19-June-2026: The sealant was put, which apparently needs 24-48 hours to dry. Great, so now I have to wait some more? 

The Preparation

20-June-2026: I couldn’t sleep because of the excitement. I usually don’t sleep till 7 AM anyway, but on this particular day, excitement was the reason. So, I started stacking books genre-wise. Doing some of the work to tire myself, hoping it would put me to sleep. It didn’t, but I got some work done.

That was around 5 AM. Around lumch time, I started second round of sorting. 

And then, I started cleaning the glasses and shelves. It’s at this time, that I noticed more problems. Individual cubbies don’t have a nail to support it. And the planks that make the surface of each cubby is not nailed on all side. If I touch it, it moves, like a sheet of paper, not metal. I was so pissed off. If I wanted a poor job, I’d have done it myself, right? This guy has just put two nails instead of eight and thinks he did a great job . I know that because he took a picture. To be honest, picture can’t capture the problems I see IRL.

I called him, asked him to come over, but he didn’t. 

Now, I have to wait some more.

The Wait

21-June-2026: I got on with other Sunday activities. My nephew 5/5 came (so did my sister but who cares about adults in kids’ presence) and started his cute games. Before I knew, it was 11:45 PM. Now, I can finally get back to my bookshelf.

And Drumrolls Please..

22-June-2026: It is 12:38 AM. The wall-mount shelf is ready. My books have a new home. 

Final Thoughts

I now know why anything custom is more expensive than off-the-rack. The twin mild steel bookshelves that I use for stocking Islamic and Urdu books cost me less than Rs. 11000. This wall-mount unit alone cost me 17000. It saves carpet area but…

Even though I’m not happy with the way the shelf itself turned out, the final picture looks good.

I still have to clean and move the twin wooden bookshelves under it to complete it, but the work week has started, and I won’t be able to do that. Perhaps next Sunday, I’ll post about that.

 

P.S. This was supposed to be Sunday Screed and even though I’m posting it 14 hours too late, I’ll call it that..

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Until next time, happy reading!